The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-09-29

advices from Matagorda county indicate
that, while things are still unsettled, prac-
tically the riot is under the control of
those who have been on the scene since
its inception, and that the military
will have to go no further than
this point, or Brazoria. Nothing more
definite as to the cause
of the trouble can be ascertained
than was wired yesterday. The whole
trouble has been conceived and brought
forth on the place of ex Governor Wells
Thompson, which, being an isolated place
with not white tenant on it, has for
years been gathering to itself the very
worst element of the negro race.
The insurrectionists are led by mulatto
named Oliver Shepard, who is reported as
being endowed with considerable
talent, both as strategist
and general commanding. The
skirmish of Sunday evening is veri-
fed, and bears out the report that three
negroes were killed, the principal among
whom was Burton Hawkins, second In
command of the insurgents, and second in
ability only to Oliver Shepard.
It seems that after Sheriff Wadsworth
had discharged the possee from Brazoria
county, on Sunday, the residents of that
lower county, already possessed of war
rants for the arrest of the leaders of
the disturbance, were looking
for the parties named in the
warrants, when they suddenly came upon
log cabin literally alive with armed
negroes.T Upon their approaching the
cabin the negroes opened fire upon them,
but fortunately at too long a
| L. fhar oI-
yanced upon them at brisk
trot, and fired upon them with the result
before mentioned. Rumors had it that in
this skirmish two men-Wharton Bath
aud G. o. Lane-were wounded, but, to
our great satisfaction, they have both
shown to the contrary.
They are totally unharmed. The Light
Guard of Houston, after refreshing them
selves here, left at 9:15 this afternoon on
the steamer "Emily P" for Brazoria, where
they will await instructions. Sheriffs
Wadsforth and Hickey requested this
action of them, as they were uncertain
whether they could control affairs
without their assistance. It is now believed
that the backbone of the affair is broken.
Oliver Shepard was missed from among
them yesterday and securing parties have
Teen sent out over the country in search
of him. With Oliver Shepard refugee
and Burton Hawkins dead, but little
trouble is anticipated from the balance.
The report wired from Wharton of this
affair is incorrect and calculated to do
this county injustice. The negro Jerry
Messina has not been found, either dead
or alive, and the circumstances as cited
yesterday indicate that he is alive and
trying to escape punishment for COW
stealing. The outlook yesterday and the
day before was rather gloomy.
Parties from the country report armed
negroes to be riding around, and couriers
being dispatched in every direction tC
) arouse the country. The merchants
l throughout the county refused to sell
, them any ammunition, and this, coupled
with the report that Matagorda was moi
under their control, has doubtless warded
of a general insurrection. Tonight
everyone seems satisfied that the crisis if
t passed, and that day or two will put al
l back to its accustomed condition.
AS the Light Guard was on the point OF
embarking this evening the Pearson
Guards, of Richmond, twenty-six strong
headed by Col. Pearson and Capt
: Withen, rode up and saluted them witt
three rousing cheers, to which the Hous
ton boys responded with hearty wood will
: There may be no need for the military tt
8 go on active duty.
l. But their very presence has benefited
this country no little, the average negro
'' being extremely ignorant, and knowing
l. how much his race outnumbered tn
: whites in this county, could not be mad
t to believe, except by occular demonstra
ton, that forces sufficient to outnumbe
him could be brought. This is particu
larly applicable in Matagorda county
8 where white people are few and far be
10 tween.